You Will Be Able to Sew Your Own Clothes by the End of This Book

by Juliet Uzor

Create your own tailored wardrobe, avoid fast fashion, and learn a new sustainable skill with this comprehensive guide for complete beginners


There has never been a better time to learn to sew your own clothes. If you want to avoid harmful fast fashion, create sustainable pieces for yourself and one-of-a-kind gifts for loved ones, and curate your own perfect wardrobe, this is the book you need. 

Get started with the core skills such as how to make accurate measurements, how to use a sewing machine, and how to follow a pattern. Once you've aced the essentials, move on to 15 stylish and straightforward projects (all patterns provided), from colorful headbands to eye-catching dresses and trendy sweatshirts. Some of the projects even teach you how to upcycle vintage and thrifted clothes to create gorgeous, unique items for your wardrobe. As the projects get more complex, you'll practise and perfect the skills you've learned, and build your confidence.
 
By the end of the book, you will be able to tackle any new project with confidence and all the techniques and skills you need at your fingertips. So take some time for yourself, learn a new skill, and enjoy creating your own tailored wardrobe with this beautiful book by your side.

Projects
Wrap dress
Upcycled denim tote
Pinafore dress
Classic duster jacket

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 2022

Reviews

[Irene Adler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another learn to sew book from another Great British Sewing Bee alumni - have we had enough of these? Well I haven't. I love the straight to the point title for a start.

INTRODUCTION
Learning to sew
Basic sewing kit - I would quibble with basic given there are three types of markings tools and pinking shears included, but everyone who sews has a different way of doing things
Fabrics - usual advice to start with woven fabric, but some wovens are tricky and some knits are stable. The 'selecting the right fabric' section is better. Good discussion on the pros and cons of natural v synthetic fibres, it's not obvious which is better environmentally at all. I would not buy a wool or silk that could not be washed, or any fabric that requires a painful amount of care.
Taking measurements / Pattern sizing / Adjusting sewing patterns - may scare you off! But you will need this info if you keep sewing clothes.
Patterns and cutting layout
Get sewing / Sewing a seam / Finishing edges - Sewing diagrams shown with pinning for left-handers :)
Glossary of essential terms - yes, here, not at the end of the book

PROJECTS - has a QR so you can download the patterns, because everyone on the planet has a tablet or similar as a sewing tool... no, wait, there are pattern sheets included as well.
- June T-shirt style top for woven fabric with dress variation (gathered skirt attached)
- Jola tiered skirt, elastic waisted, no pattern needed
- Jenny sweatshirt - hang on, a stable knit! Diagonal pieced front and back
- Joy pinafore dress, back straps are wide enough they probably would cover bra straps, lots of sewing of bias binding, doesn't tell you to sew the basting stitches away from the zipper stitching line so you don't have trouble pulling the basting stitches out.
- Jade couture dress -apparently the couture bit is the invisible zip, but it's a nice enough dress.
- Jasmine duster
- Josie princess seam dress - make a toile before using fabric you love
- Juliette wrap dress - usually a style sewn in knit fabric, although I like the crispness of the version shown. Not shown worn though.

UPCYCLING - Yay for the idea this should be included
- Large shirt to skirt (it's more ethical to use one that can't be worn, say one with a worn out collar or damaged sleeve)
- Adding flutter sleeves to a top - roomy sleeves are a very good thing.
- Jean tote bag - a classic
- Scrap fabric belt (D rings) and a headband
- Pockets - are the best, shows how to add inseam

I was less attracted to the design of this book - the fabric in the photos and the colour of the page layouts are very subdued instead of the happy prints I've been seeing in other sewing books. On the other hand, these are much more like clothing I would actually wear regularly.

[Lisa Clift · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such good advice for a beginner. It tells you all the very basics, such as how to measure yourself, what a pattern should look like and what the marks mean, and guides you through making some basic garments. I would have liked some trousers in there, but the top and the tiered skirt especially are good fashion basics that can be adapted, absolutely excellent.

[Alex Upfield · Rating 1 out of 5]

Inconsistencies with language used on how to sew clothing, which will confuse beginner sewists.

Patterns were not clearly marked with sizes, leaving the maker to guess which line to cut on.

If I was a beginner sewist, I would feel defeated and likely not return to sewing.

The author should have had this book proofed by a fellow sewist and not the publishing firm as it did a disservice to her, sadly.

Would not recommend.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope to make a few of the projects in this book.